>>719155002
>Isn't it funny how the games that get praised for having the best game design are almost always the really popular ones from well known brands
Like I genuinely hope this is an actual thread and not some shitpost thing because I have wasted too much time.
The real answer is very simple and kinda depressing.
Journos and gamers don't have time to play all vidya that comes out, so most advertised and popular games become the topic for good game design. There are sometimes positives to it, because something like Dark Souls(before you start, I'm not fan of Souls games but the design is good at least in OG the amount I played) became more popular and showed that even bit "non-conventional" and "mainstream" games can be appreciated for their design...
...Buuuuut like with everything else when it comes to popularity, everyone started copying and wanting to be "the next x/y/z".
>In every other medium and art form it's basically accepted that the popular stuff is slop and it's never brought up in serious discussions
Because the second very depressing and sad reality is that video game industry was built first for entertainment and to *sell* something, not be art. Movies, books, etc. weren't made to make money first and foremost. I guess that is what drives the whole industry towards just making money, and the moment some good indie/AA game comes out everyone is shocked that you don't need AAA $300mil budget for a good game.
Excuse my MattPattiness, but Undertale is a good example for a simple game with solid design becoming popular and appreciated despite not being the most "game-y game" out there.
But otherwise the industry is stuck with jerking off popular series or at least brands that publish them. I don't want to be the typical /v/irgin and hate TLOU, but honestly if some random German studio made that game for PC only, no journo would give a single fuck about it. Like it would be "Writing and VA is good but gameplay leaves lot to desire 7/10" kind of review
